Machine for molding leather.



J. J. HEYS.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING LEATHER.

APPLICATWN FILED MAY 7. 915- 1 ,2? 1,31 5. Patent-ed July 2, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

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MACHINE FOR MOLDING LEATHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 1, 1915. 1,271,315. Patented July 2,1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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J. J, HEYS.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING LEATHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7. l9l5- I 1,271,315. Patented July 2,1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

JOHN J. HEYS, OF.LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON. NEW JERSEY, A CORPO- RATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING LEATHER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OI-IN J. HnYs, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at 45 Nahant street, Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Molding Leather; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to machines for molding leather and analogous materials, and more particularly to machines of this type employed for shaping a shoe sole to the curvature of the last.

In certain styles of shoes of the best quality the ball portion of the sole is separated from the shank by a well defined line which forms a sharp break in-this portion of the sole. This type of sole is extremely desirable from the standpoint of appearance but heretofore could only be produced by hand methods, limiting it to shoes of the highest quality and more expensive types.

One object of the present invention is to providea molding machine having an improved construction and mode of operation which will impart the desired shape to soles of the above described type without liability of tearing or breaking the fibers or otherwise damaging the sole. To this end a feature of the invention contemplates the provision in a machine of this type having cooperating forms of means for relatively actuating the forms to impart a series of propressively increased pressures to the sole and to relieve the pressure upon the sole prior to the application of each increased pressure.

Broadly considered, this feature of the invention is not limited in its application to machines for shaping shoe soles either before or after their introduction into the shoe but is capable of embodiment in various types of machines for molding leather and analogousmaterials into a variety of shapes.

A further feature of the present invention consists in the provision in a machine of this type having cooperating forms of mechanism for actuating the forms to first press a sole and next relieve the pressure Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May '7, 1915.

Patented July 2, 1918. Serial No. 26,551.

' novel features of construction, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed, the advantages of, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form of the invention;

Figure l represents a side elevation of a sole pressing machine embodying the several features of the invention in their preferred form; Fig. 2 is a detail showing a side elevation partly in section of that portion of the sole pressing machine embodying the invention; Fig. 3 is a detail showing an elevation of the improved indicating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the indicating mechanism shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating the pan. inclosing the lower sole supporting form; Fig. 6 is a section in plan upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 is a section upon the line 77 of Fig. 4.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention is designed principally for molding flat soles and is arranged to impart the final shape to the sole before it is incorporated in a boot or shoe. The most difficult type of sole to mold is that in which the ball portion of the sole is separated from the shank by a well defined line or break in the sole and heretofore it has been customary to mold these soles by hand. With the present invention the final desired shape is imparted to the flat sole in a series of steps by which the pressure upon the sole is increased progressively up to a final and heaviest pressure exerted justprior tothe termination of the molding operation. The first pressure applied to initially shape the sole is comparatively light and is not sufficient to strain the fibers of the sole unduly, and at the completion of the initial pressure and prior to the application of the secondary pressure the forms are separated to relieve the pressure upon the sole and allow the sole to return somewhat to its initial form. This cycle of operations, namely, first applying and then relieving the pressure, is repeated until the heaviest pressure is finally applied and with this mode of operation the finished shape is gradually imparted to the sole and the final pressure applied may be *much heavier than could possibly be applied initially. The machine is provided with a stationary sole pressing form 1 supported in the machine frame 2 and a movable sole supporting term 3 which is actuated in the usual manner to exert a direct pressure upon the sole. To this end the vertical movements are imparted to the form 3 by a toggle lever having the two arms 4: and 5 which are connected respec tively to the machine frame 2, and a vertically movable table 6 upon which the form 3 is slidingly mounted. It will be obvious that by straightening the toggle a vertical movement is imparted to the supporting form 3 to press the sole and in the present invention the toggle is straightened by a series of incremental movements imparted thereto by a rotary actuating cam 10 which operatively engages with a cam roll 11 j ournaled upon the toggle lever, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. The actuating cam is mounted upon a shaft 12' which is turned through onehalf of a rotation and is then stppped automatically to retain the supporting form 3 in an elevated position until the operation of the machine is again started, as hereinafter described. During the rotation of the cam 10 in the direction of the arrow, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the portion 1 1 will first engage with the cam roll to partially straighten the toggle to apply a primary and comparatively light pressure to the sole. The recessed portion 15 will next engage with the cam roll and permit the separation of the forms to relieve the pressure upon the sole momentarily after which the cam roll will be engaged by the portion 16 to apply a secondary and heavier pressure to the sole, and before this sec ondary pressure has been relieved the rotation of the cam is automatically stopped with the cam roll positioned substantially as shown in Fig. 2. This secondary pressure is applied to the sole for an indeterminate length of time and when the machine is again started the cam roll first rides into the recessed portion 18 of the cam to relieve the pressure, after which it is engaged by the portion 19 of the cam to apply the final and heaviest pressure upon the sole before the forms are completely separated to permit the removal of the finished sole. It will be obvious that with this construction and mode of operation the cycle of operations upon the work is completed during a single rotation of the cam shaft. This insures that the melding of the sole by a progressive pressure shall not consume any greater length of time than the method ordinarily practised, which consists in a single application of the desired pressure and then relieving the pressure to permit removal of the work.

In order to augment the shaping of the sole by the pressing forms, mechanism is provided for peening the sole adjacent to the ball line when the pressure exerted upon the sole by the forms is relieved. To this end, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, when the cooperating forms are separated a relative reciprocatory movement is imparted to the forms in a lengthwise direction to pound that portion of the sole adja cent to the ball line and shape it closely to the form. It is usual in this type of machine to move the sole supporting form out of vertical alinement with the sole pressing form into a position of presentation and this is conveniently accomplished by mounting the supporting form 3 upon a slidingtable 25 which is connected to a pivoted actuating lever 26. The actuating lever is rocked at predetermined intervals to impart in and out movements to the form by an arm 27 pro jecting from one link of the toggle lever and having a cam roll 28 which is received in a curved slot 29 formed in the lower end of the lever, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. With this construction the movements of the toggle to raise and lower the supporting form impart in and out movements at the proper time to the table 25 through the engagement of the cam roll 28 with the curved slot 29. This construction is disclosed in the patent to Ball, No. 1,003,971, patented September 26, 1911, and in consequence is only briefly described herein. In the illusrated embodiment of the invention the actuating lever 26 is conveniently utilized for imparting at predetermined intervals a vibratory movement to the sole supporting form 3. It will be noted from an inspection of the drawings that when the forms are positioned in alinement with one another the cam roll 28 is located in the lower portion of the curved slot 29 and to permit an oscillatory movement of the lever 26 independ ently of the cam roll the slot 29 is provided with an enlarged portion 30 to permit a relative movement of the lever and cam roll. In order to actuate the lever at predetermined intervals the cam disk 10 is provided with a laterally extending cam rib 31, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, which is provided with serrated portions 32 and 33 arranged to engage with and oscillate the lower end of the lever 26 simultaneously with the engagement of the recesses 15 and 18 with the roll 11 to cause a vibratory movement of the supporting form when the two forms are momentarily separated to relieve the pressure. In order to deliver a percussive blow upon the sole and prevent breaking of the mechanism'the upper end of the actuating lever is yieldingly connected to the table 25. To this end a yoke-shaped member 35 is pivoted to the table and is yieldingly connected to a second member 36 through a compression spring 38, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The provision of this yielding connection also serves to permit a slight relative longitudinal movement of the forms to compensate for varying thicknesses of soles or an improper alinement of the forms.

The machine shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention consists of two sets of coiiperating forms and actuating mechanism so arranged that while one set of forms are under pressure the second set are separated to permit the finished sole to be removed and a new one inserted. To this end the cam shaft is arranged to rotate through substantially 180 degrees and the machine is then stopped with one set of forms in substantially the position shown in Fig. 2 and the second set in the position shown in Fig. 1. This actuating mechanism is substantially like that shown and described in the patent to Ball, N 0. 1,048,526, patented January 13, 1914. This actuating mechanism comprises a driving pulley 40 which is clutched at predetermined intervals to the drive shaft through a bell crank 41 controlled by a shipper rod 42-. The shipper rod normally tends to disengage the clutch and is moved to engage the clutch by a treadle 43 which is suitably connected with the shipper rod, as clearly described in the patent above referred to. The shipper rod is retained in a position to maintain the engagement of the clutch by a bell crank lever 44 which is provided with an arm 45 arranged to engage behind one face of a block 46 connected to the shipper rod. in order to permit the disen agement of the clutch after a predetermined movement of the cam shaft a split collar 47 is secured to the cam shaft, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 6 and carries oppositely disposed studs 48 which are arranged to engage with the arm 49 of the bell crank 44 and rock the arm 45 of the bell crank out of engagement with the block 4-6.

The position of the sole with relation to the coiiperating forms is determined in the present machine by an improved form of indicating mechanism which enables the position of any style or size of sole to be accurately determined. To this end the heel gage 50 is connected with the indicating mechanism in the usual manner through a sliding rod 51 having rack teeth 52 meshing with a pinion 53 secured to the indicator shaft 55. The indicator shaft projects through the table 25 and is provided upon its lower end with an operating handle 56' i and upon its upper end with an indicating dial 57 having suitable indicating characters. The indicator shaft is normally locked in any adjusted position by the engagement of a latch pin 58 secured to the handle with a stationary toothed disk 59. The shaft is normally retained in the position shown in Fig. 3 to maintain the latch pin 58 in engagement with the disk 59 by a spring 60 surrounding the shaft and interposed between the pinion 53 and the bearing member 61. With this construction it will be noted that by engaging and depressing the handle the indicating dial may be turned until any desired character is positioned opposite a fixed pointer 63 and as the hand of the operator is located beneath the table the adjustment of the dial does not interfere with the view of the indicating characters which are always located in full view of the operator. The dial may also be adjusted independently of the indicator shaft to compensate for the variation in sizes of the soles according to the different styles. To this end the dial is normally clamped to the indicator shaft by a knurled clamping screw 64 threaded to the shaft and having a tapered hub arranged to force the end portion 65 of an annular ring 62 against the inner face of the dial, as shown in Fig. 7. The annular ring 62 is formed upon a base plate 67 secured to the shaft 55 and is provided with a pointer 66 which enables the position of the dial relative tothe shaft to be determined.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that as the flat soles are molded between the forms in temper, the pressure of the forms tends to squeeze moisture from the sole out between the forms. In order to control this discharge of moisture the upper sole pressing form is conveniently provided with a flexible apron 70 extending about the front portion of the form, as shown clearly in Fig. 2 and arranged to project beyond the junction of the two forms when the sole is under pressure; The moisture which drops down from the forms is collected by a drip pan 7:2 surrounding the lower form, as shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 5. and having a dischar e opening 73. In order to prevent corrosion of the indicating dial by moisture and to protect the dial when the lower form is moved fromthe machine a guard projects over the top of the dialand is provided with a sight opening 7 6 in the front portion. The guard is conveniently hinged at 77 upon the front portion of the table in order that it may be swung back when desired to permit the adjustment of the indicating dial.

While it is preferred to employ the specific construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, it will be understood that this construction and arrangement is not essential except so far as specified in the claims, and may be changed or modified without departing from the boarder features of the invention.

The invention having what is claimed is;

1. A molding machine, having in combination, cooperating forms constructed and arranged to engage and mold a sheet of leather or analogous material between them, and mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to impart a series of progressively increased pressures to the work and to relieve the pressure upon the work prior to the application of each increased pressure.

2. A molding machine, having in combination, cooperating forms constructed and arranged to engage and mold a sheet of leather or'analogous material between them, and mechanism for relatively actuating the been described,

torms to impart a succession of separated and progressively increased'pr'es'sures to the work.

3. A molding machine, having in combination, cooperating forms constructed and arranged to engage and mold a sheet of leather or analogous material between them, and mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to apply a progressively increased pressure to the work constructed and arranged to relieve the pressure upon the work prior to the application of the heaviest pressure.

4. A molding machine, having in combination, cooperating forms constructed and arranged to engage and mold a sheet of leather or analogous material between them, means for relatively actuating the forms to impart a series of separated and progressively increased pressures to the work, and means for stopping the machine during the application of an intermediate pressure upon the work.

5. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating pressing forms, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to press a sole between them, mechanism for relieving the pressure upon the sole, and mechanism for peening the sole adjacent the ball line when the pressure is relieved.

6. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating forms, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to impart pressure to a sole in a direction substantially normal to the surface, and mechanism for peening the sole in a direction lengthwise of the sole to shape the sole to the form.

7. A molding machine, having in combination, cooperating forms, means for moving the forms into alinement with one another,

and for yieldingly retaining them in this position during the pressing operation, and means for moving the forms toward one another constructed and arranged to impart a succession of separated and progressively increased pressures to the work.

8. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, a pair of cooperating forms, mechanism for actuating the forms to impart first a preliminary pressure to the work, to then relieve the pressure upon the work, and to next impart a heavier pressure to the work, means for stopping the machine while the work is subjected to the secondary pressure, and means for first relieving the pressure and for next imparting a final and heaviest pressure to the work after the machine is again started. v

9. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, a pair of cooperating forms, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to press the sole between them, and mechanism for imparting a reciprocatory movement to one of the forms inthe direction of its length during the operation of the machine to peen the sole and shape it to the forms.

10. A sole pressing machine, having in combination, a sole support, a cooperating pressing form constructed and arranged to engage with and shape a sole, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to press the sole between them, an actuating lever connected to the sole support, and mechanism for oscillating the lever to vibrate the sole support in a longitudinal direction relative to the pressing form to pound the sole.

11. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, an actuating lever, mechanism for moving the forms toward and from one another, connections between the mechanism and actuating lever for causing the actuating lever to move the two forms into and out of alinement, and means for oscillating the actuating lever to cause a relative reciprocatory movement of the forms.

12. A sole pressing machine. having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to press a sole between them. an actuating lover, a yielding connection between the actuating lever and one of the forms, and mechanism for oscillating the lever to impart a reciprocatory movement to the form and pound the sole.

13. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, a table supporting one of the forms, a pivoted actuating lever connected at one end with the table, and a rotary cam operatively connected to the opposite end of the lever to impart a series of reciprocatory movements to the form to pound the sole between the forms.

14. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, a toggle connected to one of the forms for moving the forms toward and from one another, an actuating lever connected to one of the forms for moving the form in a lengthwise direction, and a rotary cam disk for operating directly both the toggle lever and actuating lever.

15. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, a toggle lever connected to one of the forms, an actuating lever connected to one of the forms, a cam disk, connections between the periphery of the cam disk and the toggle lever, a cam rib secured to the disk, and connections between the cam rib and actuating lever.

16. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to press a sole between them, and an apron secured to one of the forms and arranged to project over the junction of the two forms when the forms are in pressing position.

17. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, having in combination, cooperating sole pressing forms, mechanism for relatively actuating the forms, a table supporting one of the forms, a sole gage, a dial operatively connected with the gage and supported upon the front portion of the table, and a hinged shield projecting over the dial and having a sight opening formed in the front portion.

18. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, comprising a form, a gage supported adjacent to the form, an indicating dial operatively connected with the gage, an indicator shaft upon which the dial is mo dicator shaft, and adjustable connections between the dial and shaft.

unted, means for adjusting the in- 19. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, comprising a form, a gage supported adjacent to the form, a shaft, operative connections between the shaft and gage, a base plate secured to the shaft and having a split ring formed thereon, an indicator dial surrounding the ring, and a clamping nut threadedly mounted upon the shaft and arranged to expand the ring against the dial to clamp the dial in any adjusted position upon the shaft.

20. A machine for molding leather and analogous materials, comprising a table, an indicator shaft projecting through the table, a handle secured to the lower end of the shaft, a sole gage, connections between the indicator shaft and gage, mechanism for re taining the indicator shaft in any adjusted position, and an indicator dial supported upon the shaft above the table.

21. A molding machine having, in combination, a pair of sole-pressing forms, a toggle lever connected with one of the forms, and a rotary cam operatively connected with the toggle and designed to relatively actuate the forms to impart a series of progressively increased pressures to the work and to relieve the pressure upon the work prior to the application of each increased pressure.

22. A molding machine having, in combination, a pair of sole-pressing forms, a toggle lever connected with one of the forms, a rotary cam for actuating the toggle lever constructed and arranged to impart first a preliminary pressure to the work, to then relieve the pressure upon the work, and to next impart a heavier pressure to the work, and means for stopping the cam while the Work is subjected to the heavier pressure.

23. A molding machine having, in combination, a pair of sole-pressing forms and a rotary cam and connected mechanism for relatively actuating the forms to impart a series of progressively increased pressures to the work and to relieve the pressure upon the work prior to the application of each increased pressure.

JOHN J. HEYS.

. Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

